Throughout recorded history sinister men have attempted to remove Christ and his church from certain areas on earth. In my generation the most prominent are Russia and China to fuel communism.
But the Holy Spirit always finds a way to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. The popular song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is just such an application.
When most people hear the term "The Twelve Days of Christmas" they think of the Christmas carol. It is said this song had its origins as a teaching tool to instruct young people in the meaning and content of the Christian faith.
For more than 270 years --- from 1558 to 1829 --- Roman Catholics in England were not able to practice their faith openly so they had to find alternative ways to express their beliefs - underground. The song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is one example of how they did it. The song goes, "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me..." The "true love" represents God and the "me" who receives these presents is the underground Christian.
The "partridge in a pear tree" was Jesus Christ who died on a tree as a gift from God. The "two turtle doves" were the Old and New Testaments; another gift from God.
The "three French hens" is the Trinity of God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The "four calling birds" were the four Gospels that document the Good News of Jesus Christ. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The "five golden rings" were the first five books of the Bible also called the Books of Moses, Pentateuch or Torah.
The "six geese a-laying" were the six days of creation.
The "seven swans a swimming" were "seven gifts of the Holy Spirit."
The "eight maids a milking" were the eight beatitudes.
The "nine ladies dancing" were nine fruits of the Holy Spirit --- Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.
The "ten lords a-leaping" were the Ten Commandments.
The "eleven pipers piping" were the eleven faithful disciples. Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, James, Judas, Matthew, Thomas and Simon. The twelfth apostle, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
The "twelve drummers drumming" were the twelve points of the Apostles' Creed. |
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